February 26, 2017 - State regulators recognized a host of West Virginia mining operations for their reclamation and environmental stewardship during the 2017 West Virginia Mining Symposium.

Department of Environmental Protection inspectors selected the winners, and DEP Secretary Austin Caperton handed out the awards.

“West Virginia’s coal operators have an incredibly strong but often unacknowledged commitment to environmental protection and responsible reclamation,” said Jason Bostic, vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “We appreciate DEP’s recognition of the incredible work our members are doing to reclaim mine sites and protect the natural beauty of West Virginia.”

The top award — the Greenlands Award — went to Aracoma Coal Co. for its Camp Branch Surface Mine in Logan County. Reclamation included the design and operation of a 700-acre surface mine. Aracoma worked with the land owner and county redevelopment authority to submit a permit modification for a variance from approximate original contour that would permit the construction of an adverse weather aerial delivery system, drop zone and landing zone for the West Virginia National Guard, allowing for pilot training and certification on the use of unimproved air strips in combat zones.

The U.S. Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation presented the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Award to Coal-Mac’s Phoenix No. 1 Surface Mine in Logan and Mingo counties.

Other reclamation award winners are:

AML North Award: Solid Rock Excavating Co., Parker Run Project (Marion County). 

AML South Award: Pineville Paving Co., Little Daycamp Branch Refuse (McDowell County). 

AML Emergency Award: Carpenter Reclamation Inc., Dans Branch (Dillon) Landslide Project. (Mingo County). 

AML Emergency Award – Coal Refuse: A&A Energy, Bald Knob / Hager Project (Boone County). 

National Wild Turkey Federation Award: Coal-Mac Inc., Loggy Branch Surface Mine (Logan, Mingo counties). Reclamation included post-mining land use and planting plans that has provided a wildlife habitat that is otherwise limited in the surrounding, undisturbed forest and one that promotes local turkey populations and hunting opportunities. Coal-Mac has also hosted multiple youth hunting events in conjunction with the National Wild Turkey Federation. 

Coal Refuse Facility South Award: Mingo-Logan Coal Co., Mountain Laurel Complex (Logan County). 

Remining Award – South: Central Appalachia Mining LLC, Remining #1 Surface Mine (Mingo County). 

Surface Mine South Award: Coal Mac Inc., Phoenix No. 5 Surface Mine (Logan County)

Coal Refuse Facility North Award: Wolf Run Mining Company, Sentinel Mine (Barbour County). 

Valley Fill Construction / Surface Mine South Award: Coal-Mac Inc., Pine Creek No. 2 Surface Mine (Logan County). 

Surface Mine South Award: Met Resources LLC, Weyanoke Surface Mine (Mercer County).